savage chamber

[Tom Thomson]

I have a Savage 110 in 308 for which I am attempting to reload. I just noticed that fired cases (Lapua) have a neck dia of .344 but with a bullet in place (after neck size) the dia is .339. This means that with a round in the chamber and ready to fire, I have .005 clearance neck to throat. Sounds like a lot to me. Whadda you think?
tommyt

 

[Greyfox]

Actually, your chamber is probably a bit larger as there is some springback. Sounds about right for a factory chamber. That's one of the reasons that people go for customs.

Rick

 

[Dos XX]

Sounds just right to me. I like .005 to .006 clearance in my 308s. I have smaller diameter necks in my chambers, but I turn my brass.

 

[fguffey]

I have a Savage 110 in 308 for which I am attempting to reload. I just noticed that fired cases (Lapua) have a neck dia of .344 but with a bullet in place (after neck size) the dia is .339. This means that with a round in the chamber and ready to fire, I have .005 clearance neck to throat. Sounds like a lot to me. Whadda you think?

Tom Thompson, a builder of bench rest type rifles said an owner of one of his rifles complained about the neck diameter of the chamber. As always I ask what the new owner thought about the accuracy, I got the same answer as always: "One hole groups".

Anyhow, I loaded up a box of dies, in an effort to reduce the clearance between the neck chamber and case neck I went for a visit. Normally I would use my no-name case lube but he will use nothing but Imperial or Dillon, there are times it is difficult on me to make that stuff look good.

I formed 308 W cases from Match L.C. 30/06 cases. I reduce the clearance from .008" to .003" between the case neck and chamber neck. Accuracy did not improve, accuracy did not get worst.

I have .005 clearance neck to throat

?

F. Guffey

 

[memilanuk]

IIRC, SAAMI chamber spec allows for .344/.346 neck. Be glad you're not using Winchester brass, with loaded rounds measuring ~.330-.332". Unless you are setup to neck turn, 5+ neck clearance is fine. It doesn't hurt anything, and you're not working the brass that much.